The changes suggested for Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' by the CBFC

Kangana Ranaut’s much-awaited film Emergency has hit a roadblock, with its release being postponed due to a disagreement with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The historical drama, which focuses on India's Emergency era, has sparked controversy after the CBFC demanded several cuts and changes to the film, leading to a delay in its release.

According to reports, the CBFC asked the filmmakers to remove or alter specific scenes and references, citing concerns over their sensitive nature. One of the key modifications involves removing mentions of former US President Richard Nixon’s alleged derogatory comments about Indian women. The board argued that including such remarks, particularly those related to gender and ethnicity, could be offensive and potentially unverified.

Another major scene under scrutiny involves a statement attributed to British leader Winston Churchill about Indians, which has raised concerns for the CBFC. The board also called for this contentious remark to be removed or modified, given the complex nature of Churchill’s views on India.

In addition to these changes, the CBFC requested the alteration of a graphic scene showing Bangladeshi refugees being attacked by Pakistani soldiers. This particular sequence reportedly featured highly violent visuals, including the beheading of women and the brutal killing of an infant. The board believes such intense imagery may be inappropriate for the wider audience, even though it’s based on real historical events.

Aside from content changes, the CBFC has also asked for sources to verify the film's research, such as statistical data on Bangladeshi refugees and legal judgments. Additionally, the filmmakers have been asked to provide permissions for using archival footage related to Operation Bluestar, further delaying the certification process.

Emergency features Kangana Ranaut not only in the lead role but also as the director and co-producer of the film. The ensemble cast includes Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and the late Satish Kaushik in key roles.

Originally set for release in late 2023, the film’s release date has now been pushed back due to these certification issues.